Heath Notice

Lice

LICE

DMS has a “No Time Lost” policy in regards to Lice. Children are not sent home if lice are found. It is expected that parents will treat for lice and maintain the necessary vigilance to assure that the lice are eliminated.

No disease is associated with head lice, and in-school transmission is considered to be rare. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or at school has nothing to do with getting head lice. It is the position of the CDC, NASN, American Association of Pediatrics that the management of pediculosis should not disrupt the educational process. Students with nits should NOT be excluded from school, although further monitoring for signs of re-infestation is appropriate.

If a student is found to have lice, they will remain in school until the end of the day and will be readmitted when treated overnight. There will be no at-school examination as a condition of returning. However, we will do our best to minimize possibilities of lice transfer and there certainly must be no sharing of hats!

It remains the responsibility of each family to make their best efforts to prevent the spread of lice by checking your children. If any are found, please treat them to kill the lice eggs.

Control of head lice depends on prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. We are asking you to check your child(ren) every day for the next fourteen days.

The following are procedures for inspecting your child for head lice:

Under bright light begin looking at the back of the head just above the neck area. Part the hair section by section and look closely for head lice or nits (eggs). Eggs will usually be located near the scalp. They are tear drop in shape and cling to the hair shaft. Some say the nits look like a small flax seed. They can be creamy white, brown, or grey in color.
Depending on the length and thickness of the hair, it should take between 5 and 15 minutes to properly inspect a child’s head.

In addition, you should check your entire family, and make sure friends and carpool “mates” are inspected for head lice as well.

Washing bedding, clothing (especially hats), etc. is essential.

For information on how to treat head lice consult your family physician or a local pharmacist.